Well the answer to that is a nobody, Mr average. I am an everyday person just like you. I have not been born into money, I have no explorers or famous expedition leaders in my family (that I know of anyway) and sailing is not in my blood. In fact to be honest to some of my family, Grandfather and Sister, boats are the ultimate nightmare because of travel sickness. So with no apparent connections to the sport (which I used to think was the preserve of those born into it or with a lot of cash), what makes me think I can be an Ocean Racing Yachtsman?
To answer this I will tell you a little about myself, not too much but enough for you to see why I want or perhaps more accurately need to do this.
The Facts:
Born: Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK - sometime in the 70s
Hieght: 5'10" Weight: Will be much less by the race start!
Education: BSc Coastal Marine Biology, University of York
Work History: A pub, Pizza Hut, electrical store, and a water Laboratory are all in my C.V. But my career has involved two main jobs, a Marine Biologist with Sea Life Centres and my current role as a Forensic Scientist.
Likes: Tea, Beer, Thai food, my tortoise 'Alpie', living life, Tea, music and Welsh Rugby.
Dislikes: Sprouts, Spiders, heights, anything unfair and did I mention Sprouts!
My early attempts at circumnavigating the globe were thwarted by a reliance on an inflatable boat and (although I'm sure they were all the rage at the time!) tiny swimming trunks!! Fellow crew on the 11/12 race will be glad to know that Clipper are insisting I take, and wear, more suitable clothing!!!
Thats more like it, a real boat and a tad more skin coverage, better for everyone!
This is me during my Clipper Part one training aboard Serica Clipper.
If that not enough here's some more....
All my life I have been a sailor waiting to happen. My childhood was filled with holidays in caravans on the East Coast of Yorkshire with my Mum, Dad, sister Jo and the dog Bess. These were some of the best days of my life. Most of the time I could be found knee deep in rock pools, doing a spot of fishing with my Dad (although I was not very good at sitting still for long!) and swimming in the sea. When it rained, soo heavily that I was not allowed to go swimming, even in the open air pool, I would find myself staring out to sea . To this day I never sleep better than when I can hear the sound of the surf.
Years later and the opportunity eventually came for me to live out one of my dreams, to become a Marine Biologist. As a child I only ever wanted to do three things. Be a Farmer. This was fuelled mainly by my love of animals especially my Boarder Collie Bess. Once I realised that you had to kill the animals I quickly went off that as a job (but never stopped eating meat!). I then wanted to become a vet. Same reasons really and that had the same outcome (sometimes you have kill them!). So vet was off the list as well. But between Sir David Attenborough and Jacques Cousteau my love of Marine Biology was born. Oh and it did not appear that you ended up killing things! So that was the dream. So when after a year of studying Biology and Geology at University in South Wales I found out that the University of Scarborough was starting a new degree in Coastal Marine Biology, so I jumped at the chance. Living by the sea, learning about the Oceans just fuelled my desire to spend more time in and on the sea. So sea rowing with Scarborough Amateur Rowing Club, Surfing (badly) and snorkelling filled my spare time. I then undertook a research project in the summer between my second and final year that was looking at the social behaviour of captive Bull Huss sharks. This involved me studying the sharks at the Scarborough Sea Life Centre. This was the beginning of a major part of my life. New friends were made (some became my best friends; Aaron and Neil) and at the end of the research project I started working on weekends as an Aquarist and at the end of my degree became full time, eventually running the Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation Unit. The experiences I had during that time were amazing and numerous, working with Sharks, Seals and rescuing Dolphins, Porpoise and Seals were all in a days work. Working with giant Snakes, Turtles and Alligators was not to common but still featured. They days flew by. It may seem that I'm reminiscing with rose tinted glasses on, perhaps I am, but that’s how I remember it. I have long since forgotten the 70 hour weeks and no money that eventually forced me to leave my beloved profession and seek new challenges. But it has never really left me, its just below the surface and if you ever care to scratch below the surface you are never far from a story.
So it was with a heavy heart that I moved back home to live with my Mum and Dad. I know! But needs must and I was glad I did. Work wise I took on agency work before I got jobs in labs (with former friends from Sea Life, and eventually by a strange series of events ended up working in the field of Forensics, where I am today. I’m not going to go into that too much now as that’s for another time. Instead I guess I need to tell you a little more of what drives me now to this current adventure. I’m sure when you read this many of you will have gone through exactly the same and will understand. For those who have not, you are lucky. I’m talking about the loss of loved ones. I cant say too much because even years later its too hard to put into words. Lets just say I was a mummy’s boy and at 55 she left too soon. What it did teach me is that everyday is a gift, life’s short and all those other clichés. But they are clichés because they are true and so I want to live my life not with regret for opportunities lost, nor looking backwards with sadness but with a joy for being alive and a desire to live your dreams and say "Yes" more and "No" less!
So here I am. There is much more to pad out the story so far but I hope your more interested in the story to come. Global sailing is not going to be without its stories so keep up with my blog and goings on the official Clipper Round The world website and follow in my adventures. Better still, if you can support me in my quest or support my charities. Better still join in and take on the challenge of a lifetime yourself, go on, you deserve it, seize the day!!